Module for a cellular communications monopole

ABSTRACT

A module for a base station monopole has a wall defining an interior space. The wall includes an opening configured to receive electronic equipment and a vent opening in communication with the exterior of the module. A reinforcement member is secured to the wall and is positioned opposite to the opening and adjacent the vent opening. A baffle is supported adjacent the wall where the baffle has an intake opening and an exhaust opening in communication with the vent opening. The intake opening is laterally offset from the exhaust opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/227,054, filed Apr. 9, 2021, which claims priority to and the benefitof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/008,097, filed on Apr. 10,2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to base station supportstructures for cellular communications systems and, more particularly,to an improved monopole module for such systems.

Cellular communications systems are well known in the art. In a cellularcommunications system, a geographic area is divided into a series ofregions that are referred to as “cells” and each cell is served by abase station. The base station may include one or more base stationantennas that are configured to provide two-way radio frequency (“RF”)communications with mobile subscribers that are geographicallypositioned within the cells served by the base station. In addition tothe antennas, base stations typically comprise other related equipmentincluding remote radio units (RRU's), over voltage protection packages(OVP's), and a variety of supporting components. Typically, the antennasand some of the related equipment are mounted on or in a supportstructure such as a tower or monopole. In one type of base station,sometimes referred to as an integrated monopole, the antennas, RRU's andrelated equipment may be mounted inside of the monopole.

An improved cellular communications monopole module for a base stationis desired.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, the technology relates to a module for a base stationmonopole including: a wall defining an interior space, the wallincluding an opening configured to receive electronic equipment; and areinforcement member secured to the wall, wherein the reinforcementmember extends vertically.

In an example, a second opening is configured to receive electronicequipment. In another example, the opening and the second opening arevertically aligned. In still another example, the opening and the secondopening occupy approximately the same circumferential extent of thewall. In yet another example, a top plate is at a first end of themodule and a bottom plate is at a second end of the module defining amodule for a monopole. In an example, the top plate and the bottom plateinclude apertures configured to receive bolts.

In another example, a first door closes the opening and a second doorcloses the second opening. In still another example, the wall includesat least one upper vent opening positioned on the wall opposite theopening. In yet another example, the wall includes at least one lowervent opening positioned on the wall opposite the second opening. In anexample, the reinforcement member includes at least one of a tubularstructure, a C-shaped channel, a square channel, a rectangular channel,an I-beam, an H-beam or combinations thereof. In another example, themodule has a longitudinal axis and the reinforcement member extendsparallel to the longitudinal axis.

In still another example, the reinforcement member is positionedopposite to at least one of the opening and/or the second opening. Inyet another example, the reinforcement member extends beyond the atleast one upper vent opening and the at least one lower vent openingalong the longitudinal axis. In an example, the at least one upper ventopening includes two upper vent openings and the at least one lower ventopening includes two lower vent openings, the reinforcement member beingpositioned between the two upper vent openings and between the two lowervent openings. In another example, the reinforcement member is attachedto the wall by a weld, a braze, fasteners, rivets or combinationsthereof. In still another example, the reinforcement member is notattached to the wall in areas that are laterally aligned with the atleast one upper vent opening and the at least one lower vent opening.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a module for a base stationmonopole including: a wall defining an interior space, the wallincluding a vent opening in communication with the exterior of themodule; and a baffle supported adjacent the wall, the baffle having anintake opening and an exhaust opening in communication with the ventopening, wherein the intake opening is laterally offset from the exhaustopening.

In an example, the wall includes a second vent opening, the vent openingand the second vent opening being at an elevation, the second ventopening not being connected to a baffle. In another example, the modulehas a diameter and the intake opening extends for a major part of thediameter of the module. In still another example, the intake openingfaces downward. In yet another example, the baffle includes a first sidewall and a second side wall that extends at an angle relative to thefirst side wall such that a width of the baffle increases from a firstend to a second end. In an example, the exhaust opening is located atthe second end.

In another example, a height of the baffle increases from the first endto the second end. In still another example, a center of the exhaustopening is offset from a center of the intake opening. In yet anotherexample, an intake duct is in communication with the intake opening andan exhaust duct is in communication with the exhaust opening, and theintake duct is angularly offset from the exhaust duct. In an example,the intake opening and the exhaust opening do not substantially overlapin a lateral direction. In another example, the wall includes a thirdvent opening and a fourth vent opening, the third vent opening and thefourth vent opening being at a second elevation wherein the secondelevation is different than the elevation.

In still another example, the third vent opening is connected to asecond baffle and the fourth vent opening is not connected to a baffle.In yet another example, the baffle is disposed over electronic equipmentthat is housed in the module. In an example, the baffle is arranged suchthat the intake opening is aligned generally along a diameter of themodule. In another example, the baffle is arranged such that the exhaustopening is angularly and laterally offset from the diameter.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a module for a base stationmonopole including: a wall defining an interior space, the wallincluding an opening configured to receive electronic equipment and avent opening in communication with the exterior of the module; areinforcement member secured to the wall, wherein the reinforcementmember is positioned opposite to the opening and adjacent the ventopening; and a baffle supported adjacent the wall, the baffle having anintake opening and an exhaust opening in communication with the ventopening, wherein the intake opening is laterally offset from the exhaustopening.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a module for a modular basestation monopole including: a module defining an interior space, themodule including an opening configured to receive electronic equipmentand a vent opening in communication with the exterior of the module; anda baffle supported in the interior space, the baffle having an intakeopening and an exhaust opening in communication with the vent opening,wherein the intake opening is laterally offset from the exhaust opening.

In an example, the module includes a wall and a reinforcement member issecured to the wall, the reinforcement member is positioned opposite tothe opening and adjacent the vent opening. In another example, a topplate and a bottom plate are secured to the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary modular monopole according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a module that may be used in the modularmonopole of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a side view of the module of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a front view of the module of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the module of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the module of FIG. 2 including bafflesaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the module of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the module of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 9 is a front view of the module of FIG. 2 including the internalsupport structure.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the baffle used in the module ofFIG. 2 according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the baffle of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a side view of the baffle of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the baffle of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 14 is a top view of the baffle of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 15 is an end view of the baffle of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 16 is a top view of the module of FIG. 9 showing the arrangement ofa remote radio unit.

FIG. 17 is a partial section view of the module of FIG. 9 showing thearrangement of a remote radio unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, an integrated modulefor a monopole for cellular communications systems is provided. Anintegrated module refers to a monopole, section of a monopole or amodule for a modular monopole that houses equipment for the base stationsuch as remote radio units. The integrated module may have improvedstructural rigidity and better cooling capabilities than existingmonopoles.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a modular monopole 2 is showncomprising a plurality of modules that are assembled in a vertical stackto form the monopole 2. The different modules shown in FIG. 1 may bestructurally different from one another and may include differentfunctionalities from one another. For example, the first module 4 maycomprise a power base that forms the base of the monopole 2. A pluralityof equipment enclosures 6 and a pole top equipment enclosure 10 may beprovided that internally support equipment related to the base stationsuch as remote radio units (RRU's), OVP's or the like. Expansion modules8 may be provided that extend the height of the monopole 2 but that maynot include any internal equipment. A luminaire mount 12 may be providedthat supports a luminaire 14. An antenna mount 16 may be provided thatsupports the antennas internally or that includes a support structure 18for mounting the antennas externally to the monopole 2. In a modularmonopole a greater or fewer number of modules may be used and themodules may vary in function, size and number from those described withrespect to FIG. 1 . Examples of modular monopoles are disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/913,019 for a “Modular Monopole forWireless Communications” filed on Mar. 6, 2018 to Hendrix et al. theentire content of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/655,986 for a“Perforated Door for Monopole Module and Method of Mounting Same” filedon Oct. 17, 2019 to Colapietro et al. the entire content of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. While one embodimentof a modular monopole 2 is described that is made of a plurality ofmodules joined together in a stack to create the monopole 2, theintegrated module as described herein may be used with any type ofmonopole and the integrated module may form an integral part of aunitary monopole rather than being assembled as a separate module in amodular monopole.

As previously explained, the module 100 may be formed as a module of amodular monopole as shown or it may be formed as an integral part of aunitary monopole. The module 100 may typically be round or polygonal incross-section and is typically manufactured out of a material such assteel or aluminum, such as, for example, ½ to 3/16 inch formed or rolledplate. The module 100 comprises a hollow generally cylindrical structurehaving a generally open interior space. Support structures may besupported by the wall of the module 100 and may support equipment suchas remote radio units (RRU's) as will hereinafter be described.

RRU's may be supported in the interior space of the module 100. In atypical arrangement, a plurality of RRU's are mounted inside of themodule 100. For example, a module 100 configured as shown in FIG. 2 maysupport four RRU's. The heat load from each RRU may range fromapproximately 100 W to 1.5 KW such that an installation with, forexample, four RRU's may develop a significant heat load. As a result,providing thermal management for the cooling of the internal equipment,such as the RRU's, is important for an integrated module.

In order, to install, set up and maintain the internal equipment, it isnecessary to provide access to the interior of the module 100. Openingsmay be formed in the module to allow access to the interior of themodule. The openings may be closed by removable or movable doors.Forming openings in the module can weaken the module and create areas oflocalized stresses. As a result, providing a structurally rigid module100 is also important.

One integrated module 100 is shown in FIGS. 2 through 9 . The integratedmodule 100 comprises a cylindrical or polygonal wall 102 defining agenerally cylindrical interior space 104. Supports 105 may be providedin the interior space 104 and be secured to an interior surface of wall102 (FIGS. 9, 16 and 17 ). Brackets 52 that support the RRU's 50 may besecured to the supports 105 (FIGS. 16 and 17 ). Other equipment may besupported in the module 100 in a similar manner. Openings 106 a, 106 bare provided in the wall 102 to provide access to the interior space104. In the illustrated embodiment, two openings 106 a, 106 b areprovided in wall 102. The openings 106 a, 106 b are sized such that eachopening may provide access to two RRU's. While two openings 106 a, 106 bare shown, each providing access to two RRU's 50, as shown in FIG. 4 ,other arrangements may be provided where, for example, a differentnumber of openings may be provided where each opening provides access toa different number of RRU's. In addition to the RRU's, the integratedmodule 100 may support equipment other than RRU's such as powerequipment, fiber units, or the like. The openings 106 a, 106 b arevertically aligned to provide an upper opening 106 a and a lower opening106 b where each opening 106 a, 106 b occupies approximately the samecircumferential extent of the module 100. An example of a modularmonopole is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/853,989 for a“Monopole Door Hinge and Assemblies” filed on May 29, 2019 to Williamset al. the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety

Each opening 106 a, 106 b may be closed by a door 110 to isolate theinterior space 104 from the external environment. Referring to FIG. 6 ,hinges 112 may be used to pivotably attach the doors 110 to the wall 102to allow the doors 110 to swing between open and closed positions. Thehinges 112 may comprise a pin or pintle 113 supported on the wall 102that engages a knuckle or aperture 115 on the door 110. The doors 110may include locks 116 to secure the doors 110 in the closed position. Inother embodiments, the doors 110 may be completely releasable from theintegrated module and may be secured in place by clips, fasteners or thelike.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 16 , the openings 106 a, 106 b are symmetricallypositioned relative to a central plane A-A of the module 100. Thecentral plane A-A extends approximately through a diameter of the module100. The portion of the module 100 having openings 106 and doors 110 maybe considered the front of the module 100 with the opposite side of themodule 100 being the back of the module 100. The plane A-A extends fromthe front of the module 100 to the back of the module and divides themodule into left and right portions. The equipment such as RRUs 50 areinserted into the interior space 104 through openings 106. The RRU's aretypically generally symmetrically positioned along the plane A-A, inpart, because the plane A-A is on the diameter of the module andprovides greatest depth in space 104. As shown, the RRU's 50 may bestored vertically, may extend along plane A-A and are generallysymmetrically dispose with respect to plane A-A.

In a modular monopole, the module 100 may form a complete module and theupper end may be closed by a top plate 117 and the bottom end may beclosed by a bottom plate 119 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 7 and 8 .The top plate 117 and the bottom plate 119 may include apertures 121 forreceiving bolts to fix the module 100 to modules located above and/orbelow the module 100, respectively.

Vent openings 118 may also be provided in the wall 102 to vent themodule 100 and to allow air flow over the stored equipment, such asRRU's 50, for thermal management. Vent openings 118 are formed generallyon the opposite side of wall 102 from openings 106. Viewing the modulefrom the top, if the centers of openings 106 are on the central planeA-A, the vent openings 118 are offset from the central plane A-A toeither side thereof. The vent openings 118 are arranged in pairs wherethe vent openings 118 of each pair are at substantially the sameelevation. Referring to FIG. 5 , the first or upper pair 123 of ventopenings 118 is vertically disposed adjacent the top of upper opening106 a and the second or lower pair 125 of vent openings 118 isvertically disposed adjacent the top of lower opening 106 b. In thismanner, the RRU's 50 contained in openings 106 a and 106 b areassociated with one pair of vent openings 118. Vent openings 118 will bediscussed in greater detail below. While two vent openings are shown inthe drawings, a greater number of vent openings may be used depending onsystem conditions.

Because openings 106 a, 106 b and vent openings 118 are formed in thewall 102 of the module 100, the structural rigidity of the wall 102 maybe reduced in the areas adjacent these openings. In use, shear andmoment loads are applied to the top end of the module 100 by wind forcesand/or by loads supported by the module 100. There are also downwardloads on the module 100 by the weight of the supported equipment and theweight of the modules and equipment above the module 100.

To prevent failure of the module 100 from the applied loads, areinforcement member 120 is secured to the interior surface of wall 102as shown in FIGS. 5, 9 and 17 . The reinforcement member 120 may be madeof any suitable strong material such as steel. The reinforcement member120 may have any shape that provides a rigid reinforcement to the wall102. For example, reinforcement member 120 may comprise a tubularstructure, a C-shaped channel, a square or rectangular channel, I-beam,H-beam or the like. The reinforcement member 120 may include areinforcement structure such as ribs 122 as shown in FIG. 5 . In oneembodiment, the reinforcement member 120 is disposed midway between thevent openings 118 and extends vertically parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the module 100, as represented by line A-A in FIG. 4 , and maybe centered on plane A-A. With the vent openings 118 disposedsymmetrically relative to the openings 106, the reinforcement member 120is located substantially directly opposite to the center of the openings106 on plane A-A. In one embodiment, the reinforcement member 120extends beyond the upper end of the upper pair 123 of vent openings 118and beyond the lower end of the lower pair 125 of vent openings 118.

The reinforcement member 120 may be attached to the interior surface ofwall 102 by any suitable attachment mechanism such as welding, brazing,fasteners such as bolts or rivets or combinations of such attachmentmechanisms. In one embodiment, the surface, or surfaces, of thereinforcement member 120 that is attached to wall 102 includes gaps 130where the reinforcement member is not in contact with the wall 102. Thegaps 130 are laterally aligned with the vent openings 118 and extend forthe height of the vent openings 118. The reinforcement member 120provides a structurally rigid module 100.

The vent openings 118 are provided to allow air flow through the module100 and to vent hot air created by the RRU's 50 from the interior space104. To facilitate the venting of air from the interior space 104 abaffle 150 is provided that communicates with one vent opening 118 ofeach pair 123, 125 of vent openings 118. Referring to FIGS. 6-8 and10-15 , the baffle 150 comprises a bottom wall 152 having an opening 154that defines the air intake of the baffle 150. The intake opening 154comprises a substantially elongated opening having its longitudinal axisB-B (FIG. 13 ) extending parallel to plane A-A. Axis B-B may also bealigned with or closely adjacent to plane A-A such that the intakeopening 154 is disposed over the RRU's 50. While the intake opening 154,as illustrated, has a rectangular shape, the intake opening may haveother shapes. When the baffle 150 is installed in the module 100 theopening 154 extends for major part of the diameter of the module 100 andaxis B-B extends substantially parallel to the central plane A-A of themodule 100 and is generally aligned with the center of the openings 106.The opening 154 is positioned substantially at the center of theopenings 106 such that it is disposed over the equipment, such as RRU's50, contained in the module 100. The bottom wall 152 extendssubstantially horizontally when the baffle 150 is installed in themodule 100. The opening 154 faces downward such that rising hot air willenter the baffle 150 through the intake opening 154.

The bottom wall 152 has an edge 155 that includes a first segment 155 athat extends from side edge 157 and is configured to match the internalshape and size of wall 102 such that when the baffle 150 is installedinside of the module 100 the first segment 155 a abuts or is closelyadjacent to the internal surface of wall 102. The edge 155 includes asecond segment 155 b that extends at an obtuse angle from side edge 159and is linear. The edge 155 includes a linear third segment 155 c thatconnects the first segment 155 a and the second segment 155 b.

The baffle 150 comprises a first side wall 156. The first side wall 156connects to edge 159 of bottom wall 152 and extends substantiallyperpendicularly from the bottom wall 152 such that when the baffle 150is installed in the module 100 the first side wall 156 extendssubstantially vertically. The side wall 156 also extends substantiallyparallel to axis B-B. The baffle 150 comprises a second side wall 158.The second side wall 158 connects to edge 157 of bottom wall 152 andextends substantially perpendicularly from the bottom wall 152 such thatwhen the baffle 150 is installed in the module 100 the second side wall158 extends substantially vertically. Side wall 158 extends at an anglerelative to the axis B-B such that the baffle 150 widens in the lateraldirection from the first end 160 of the baffle 150 to the second end 162of the baffle 150. The side walls 156 and 158 also increase in heightfrom the first end 160 to the second end 162 such that the height of thebaffle increases from the first end 160 to the second end 162. A topwall 164 comprising a first top wall portion 164 a and a second top wallportion 164 b closes the top of the baffle 150. The first top wallportion 164 a extends between the side walls 156 and 158 and both widensand extends upwardly from the first end 160 to the second end 162. Thesecond top wall portion 164 b extends from the first top wall portion164 a and extends substantially parallel to bottom wall 152 such that itextends substantially horizontally when the baffle 150 is installed inthe module 100. As best shown in FIG. 14 , the second top wall portion164 b has an edge 166 that includes a first segment 166 a that extendsfrom side wall 158 and that is configured to match the internal shapeand size of wall 102 such that when the baffle 150 is installed insideof the module 100 the first segment 166 a abuts or is closely adjacentto the internal surface of wall 102. The edge 166 includes a secondsegment 166 b that extends from side wall 156 at an obtuse angle and islinear. The edge 166 includes a linear third segment 166 c that connectsthe first segment 166 a and the second segment 166 b. The edge 155 ofthe bottom wall 152 and the edge 166 of the top wall 164 are configuredthe same and the edge 155 is disposed directly below the edge 166.

A first end wall 168 extends between the bottom wall 152 and top wall164 and between the side walls 156 and 158 to close the first end 160 ofthe baffle 150. As a result, air entering the baffle 150 through intakeopening 154 is directed toward the second end 162.

The second end of the baffle 150 is partially closed by a second endwall 170. The second end wall 170 includes a first planar wall portion170 a that extends between the edge segments 155 b and 166 b and asecond planar wall portion 170 b that extends between the edge segments155 c and 166 c (FIG. 6 ). The second end 162 of the baffle 150 betweenthe edge segments 155 a and 166 a is not closed by a wall. As a result,an opening 180 that defines the air exhaust is created that extendsbetween the top wall 164 and bottom wall 152 in the vertical directionand between the side wall 158 and the wall portion 170 b in thehorizontal direction. The center of exhaust opening 180, as defined byaxis C-C, is offset from the center of the intake opening 154, asdefined by axis B-B, by a distance D as shown in FIG. 13 . Moreover, theintake duct as defined by intake opening 154 and side wall 156 is offsetfrom the exhaust duct as defined by side wall 158 and exhaust opening180 by angle α. In one embodiment, internal longitudinal edge 154 a ofthe intake opening 154 is substantially aligned with the internal edge180 a of the exhaust opening 180. In some embodiments, the intakeopening 154 and the exhaust opening 180 do not overlap or do notsubstantially overlap in the horizontal direction. While in onepreferred embodiment the intake opening is laterally offset from theexhaust opening, in some embodiments the intake opening may be moregenerally vertically aligned with the exhaust opening.

The baffles 150 are mounted in the module 100 as follows. Referring toFIGS. 6, 9, 16 and 17 , the module 100 includes mounting supports 105mounted to the inside surface of wall 102. The mounting supports 105 maybe mounted by any suitable attachment mechanism such as rivets, bolts,welding or the like. The mounting supports 105 include threaded bores192 that receive threaded fasteners 196 such as bolts, screws or thelike. The baffle 150 includes flanges 194 extending from the bottom wall152 and the top wall 164 each including an aperture 198. The baffles 150are positioned in the module 100 such that the apertures 198 align withselected ones of the threaded bores 192. A threaded fastener 196 isinserted through the apertures 198 and is screwed into the threadedbores 192 to secure the baffles 150 in position. Other connectionmechanisms may be used to connect the baffles 150 to the module 100 suchas rivets, welds, mating snap fit connectors, deformable connectors orthe like.

One baffle 150 is secured to one vent opening 118 of the upper pair 123of vent openings 118 and one baffle 150 is secured to one vent opening118 of the lower pair 125 of vent openings 118. The other vent opening118 of the pairs of vent openings 123, 125 is left open to the externalenvironment without being connected to a baffle 150. When the baffles150 are attached to the module 100 the intake opening 154 of each baffle150 extends for a major portion of the inside diameter of the module100, as shown in FIG. 8 , and is positioned in the approximate center ofthe module 100 over the equipment contained in the module 100. Forexample, the baffle 150 may extend for approximately 75% of the insidediameter of the module 100. This allows air to circulate round the sidesand the first end 160 of the baffle 150 while allowing hot air risingfrom the equipment, such as RRU's 50, to enter the intake opening 154.The opening 180 is aligned with one vent opening 118 of each of thepairs of openings 123, 125 such that air that flows into the baffles 150via intake openings 154 flows out of exhaust openings 180, through thevent openings 118 and is exhausted from the module 100. Each baffle 150is disposed over the electronic equipment that is housed in the module100 below that baffle. In the illustrated embodiment, the module isconfigured such that the interior space adjacent each of openings 106houses two RRU's 50. A baffle 150 is disposed above each pair of RRU's50 such that in the illustrated embodiment two baffles 150 are used withone baffle 150 being disposed over the two lower RRU's 50 and one baffle150 being disposed over the two upper RRU's 50. While in the illustratedembodiment, two RRU's 50 are associated with each pair of vent openings118 and each baffle 150, this ratio may be different based on thegeometry of the module and equipment, the heat generated by theelectronic equipment, the ambient conditions, the operating temperatureratings of the equipment or the like. Moreover, while venting system hasbeen described with reference to RRU's 50, the venting system may beused to cool any electronic equipment contained in module 100.

Each baffle 150 is arranged such that the intake opening 154 is alignedgenerally along the diameter of the module 100 approximately centered oncentral plane A-A. The exhaust opening 180 is angularly and laterallyoffset from the intake opening 154 such that the exhaust opening 180 isangularly and laterally offset from the central plane A-A of the module100. Thus, the intake opening 154 is circumferentially spaced from theexhaust opening 180 about the perimeter of the module and the intakeopening 154 is not vertically aligned with the exhaust opening 180. Ithas been found that providing two vent openings 118 at the sameelevation but angularly offset from one another where one vent opening118 is connected to a baffle 150 and one vent opening 118 is left openwhere the baffle 150 has an intake opening 154 that is angularly andlaterally offset from the exhaust opening 180 provides superior coolingof the interior of the module 100.

The present inventive concepts have been described above with referenceto the accompanying drawings. The present inventive concepts are notlimited to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments areintended to fully and completely disclose the present inventive conceptsto those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer tolike elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some componentsmay be exaggerated for clarity.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,”“upper,” “top,” “bottom,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation in addition tothe orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device inthe figures is turned over, elements described as “under” or “beneath”other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the otherelements or features. Thus, the example term “under” can encompass bothan orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Herein, the terms “attached,” “connected,” “interconnected,”“contacting,” “mounted,” and the like can mean either direct or indirectattachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.

Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail forbrevity and/or clarity. As used herein the expression “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentinventive concepts. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood thatthe terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” whenused in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A module for a base station monopole comprising: awall including a first end and an opposite second end, the wall havingan interior surface defining an interior space, the wall including anopening configured to receive electronic equipment and a pair of ventopenings in communication with an exterior of the module, wherein themodule has a central plane extending between the first end and thesecond end, the opening symmetrical relative to the central plane, andthe pair of vent openings offset from the central plane; and areinforcement member directly attached to the interior surface of thewall and between the pair of vent openings, the reinforcement memberextending parallel to and centered on the central plane, wherein a gapis formed between the interior surface of the wall and the reinforcementmember whereby the reinforcement member is not in contact with the wall,the gap laterally aligned with the pair of vent openings.
 22. The moduleof claim 21, wherein the gap extends for a height of the pair of ventopenings.
 23. The module of claim 21, wherein the gap is offset from anend of the reinforcement member.
 24. The module of claim 21, wherein amajority of the reinforcement member is disposed in an upper half of themodule proximate the first end.
 25. The module of claim 21, wherein thereinforcement member is disposed at a midpoint between the pair of ventopenings.
 26. The module of claim 21, further comprising a top plate atthe first end of the wall and a bottom plate at the second end of thewall.
 27. The module of claim 26, wherein the reinforcement memberterminates prior to reaching the top plate and the bottom plate.
 28. Themodule of claim 21, further comprising at least one support secured toan interior surface of the wall and configured to support the electronicequipment.
 29. The module of claim 21, further comprising a door for theopening.
 30. The module of claim 21, wherein the module is included in amodular monopole.
 31. The module of claim 21, wherein the module isformed as an integral part of a unitary monopole.
 32. The module ofclaim 21, further comprising at least one baffle supported adjacent thewall, the baffle having an intake opening and an exhaust opening incommunication with one of the pair of vent openings, wherein the intakeopening is laterally offset from the exhaust opening.
 33. The module ofclaim 21, wherein the reinforcement member comprises at least one of atubular structure, a C-shaped channel, a square channel, a rectangularchannel, an I-beam, a H-beam, or combinations thereof.
 34. The module ofclaim 21, wherein the reinforcement member is attached to the wall by aweld, a braze, fasteners, rivets, or combinations thereof.
 35. A modulefor a base station monopole comprising: a wall including a first end andan opposite second end, the wall having an interior surface defining aninterior space, the wall including an upper opening and a lower openingeach configured to receive electronic equipment and a pair of upper ventopenings and a pair of lower vent openings each in communication with anexterior of the module, wherein the module has a central plane extendingbetween the first end and the second end, the upper and lower openingssymmetrical relative to the central plane, and the pair of upper andlower vent openings offset from the central plane; and a reinforcementmember directly attached to the interior surface of the wall and betweenthe pair of upper and lower vent openings, the reinforcement memberextending parallel to and centered on the central plane, wherein upperand lower gaps are formed between the interior surface of the wall andthe reinforcement member whereby the reinforcement member is not incontact with the wall, the upper and lower gaps laterally aligned withthe respective pair of upper and lower vent openings.
 36. The module ofclaim 35, wherein the reinforcement member has a top end that extendsbeyond the pair of upper vent openings and terminating before the firstend of the wall, and a bottom end that extends beyond the pair of lowervent openings and terminating before the second end of the wall.
 37. Themodule of claim 36, wherein the upper gap is offset from the top end ofthe reinforcement member and the lower gap is offset from the bottom endof the reinforcement member.
 38. The module of claim 35, wherein amajority of the reinforcement member is disposed in an upper half of themodule proximate the first end.
 39. The module of claim 35, wherein theupper gap and the lower gap have the same size and shape.
 40. The moduleof claim 35, wherein the upper gap extends for a height of the pair ofupper vent openings and the lower gap extends for a height of the pairof lower vent openings.